Executive Director of the African Center for Security and Counter-Terrorism, Emmanuel Kutin has suggested, cannot be blamed for the lack of respect for officers in uniform especially soldiers, when politicians have turned officers into errand boys.
He noted that the era where security personnel are made to carry the bags and shoes of politicians and do menial security-unrelated jobs must be done away with.
Speaking on the Kumasi-based Ultimate 106.9 FM monitored by MyNewsGh.com, noted that, the security institutions have been demeaned by these same politicians over the years which has affected their morale and image in the public’s eye.
“I hear the politicians say, we ought to respect the militant, we have to respect the police etc., but who caused it? Over the years, we have seen men in uniform handling the bags, and shoes of politicians. We have seen how they are being used privately by the politicians and in some cases parking cars at events, is that the job of the military or police?”
“We have brought the military into all spheres of our public life that does not concern them, the reason why we will see some of these things. So if they are saying the security institutions need to be respected, then it must start with they the politicians, they need to allow them to do their jobs as professionals”, he advised.
Just a fortnight ago, the Minister of Defense, Dominic Nitiwul, admonished Ghanaians to respect the personnel of the various security agencies.
The Minister said this is fundamental in building a strong relationship between the security personnel and civilians.
According to the Bimbilla lawmaker, this will also prevent the constant reprisal attacks these officers mete out to civilians for either disrespecting or attacking them.
Mynewsgh.com